Proportion, tapered-end can

ABSTRACT

A multi-piece metal cylindrical can with tapered ends including a double-seam joint creating a hermetic seal. The cylindrical can includes can ends, a side wall portion, a first transition portion and a second transition portion. The can ends each have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the side wall portion.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a multi-piece, metal can withtapered-ends.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a three-piece metal can. The three-piece metalcan includes a first circular can end, second circular can end,cylindrical can side wall and a double-seam joint. The first circularcan end has a first diameter. The second circular can end has a firstdiameter. The cylindrical can side wall includes a height, first end,second end, side wall portion, first transition portion, secondtransition portion and seam. The first end and second end of thecylindrical side wall have substantially the first diameter. The sidewall portion of the cylindrical side wall has a second diameter that isgreater than the first diameter. The first transition portion extendsfrom the first end to the side wall portion. The second transitionportion extends from the second end to the side wall portion. The seamextends from the first end to the second end. The second diameter isbetween 80% and 120% of the height and 105% and 120% of the firstdiameter. The double-seam joint hermetically seals the second circularcan end to the side wall.

Another embodiment relates to a two-piece metal can. The two-piece metalcan includes a cylindrical can side wall, circular can end and adouble-seam joint. The cylindrical can side wall has a height andincludes a first end, second end, side wall portion, first transitionportion and a second transition portion. The first end and second end ofthe cylindrical can side wall have substantially the first diameter. Theside wall portion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.The first transition portion extends from the first end to the side wallportion. The second transition portion extends from the second end tothe side wall portion. The first diameter is between 80% and 120% of theheight. The double-seam joint hermetically seals the bottom circular canend to one of the first or second ends.

Yet another embodiment relates to a two-piece metal can. The two-piececontainer includes a circular can end, cylindrical can side wall and adouble-seam joint. The cylindrical can side wall has a height andincludes a first end, second end, side wall portion, first transitionportion and a second transition portion. The first end has a firstdiameter. The second end has a second diameter. The side wall portionhas a third diameter that is greater than the first and seconddiameters. The first transition portion extends from the first end tothe side wall portion. The second transition portion extends from thesecond end to the side wall portion. The second diameter is between 80%and 120% of the height. The double-seam joint hermetically seals thebottom circular can end to one of the first or second ends.

Yet another embodiment relates to a three-piece metal can. Thethree-piece metal can includes a first circular can end, a secondcircular can end and a cylindrical can side wall. The first circular canend and second circular can end have a first diameter. The cylindricalcan side wall has a height, first end, second end, side wall portion,first transition portion and a second transition portion. The first endand second end have substantially the first diameter. The side wallportion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The firsttransition portion extends from the first end to the side wall portion.The second transition portion extends from the second end to the sidewall portion. The first diameter is between 75% and 100% of the height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the claimed design;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the claimed design of FIG. 1, the rear view,the left side view and the right side view being the same as the frontview;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the claimed design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the claimed design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the claimeddesign;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the claimed design of FIG. 5, the rear view,the left side view and the right side view being the same as the frontview;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the claimed design of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the claimed design of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the claimeddesign;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the claimed design of FIG. 9, the rear view,the left side view and the right side view being the same as the frontview;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the claimed design of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the claimed design of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the claimeddesign;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the claimed design of FIG. 13, the rear view,the left side view and the right side view being the same as the frontview;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the claimed design of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the claimed design of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to all of the figures, a can is shown which includes a firstcan end (or top can end), a second can end (or bottom can end) and aside wall. Cans of this type may include a shaped side wall (as shown byexamples), separately formed bottom can end and a separately formed topcan end. The can ends may be fabricated all, or in part, from a metal(e.g., steel) and are joined to the side wall with a rolled jointdouble-seam or soldered joint creating a hermetic seal. The side wallcan be formed from a rolled piece of metal with a seam or welded jointextending from the top to the bottom of the side wall. The relativedimensions, including angles, in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose the relative dimensions andangles of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, actual dimensions notexpressly set out in this description, can be determined by using theratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with theexpress dimensions set out in this description.

Referring to FIG. 1, can 10 includes can ends 12, 14 and side wall 16,preferably formed from metal. Can 10, can ends 12, 14 and side wall 16are shown in further detail in FIGS. 2-4. Can end 12 has a diameter D24.Can end 14 has a diameter D30. Diameter D24 and diameter D30 can besubstantially similar. Exemplary dimensions are illustrated in inches.In one embodiment, both diameters D24, D30 are approximately 3.112inches. Alternative embodiments include diameter D30 to be greater inlength than diameter D24.

Additionally, can end 12, or the end in which the user opens, shows apull top 22. Exemplary pull top 22 is illustrated in FIG. 1. However,alternative embodiments of can end 12 may include a rim and a foilclosure adhered to the rim.

Side wall 16 has a height 32 that includes can ends 12, 14, side wallportion 34 and transition portions 38, 40. The side wall is fabricatedfrom steel, the interior is typically coated with an organic coating andthe exterior is typically coated with ink.

Referring to FIG. 2, the side wall portion 34 of can 10 has a diameterD36 that is greater in length than diameters D24, D30. For example,diameters D24, D30 are 3.112 inches and diameter D36 is 3.604 inches.The side wall portion 34 also includes transition portions 38, 40.Transition portion 38 is located between can end 12 and the top of sidewall portion 34. Transition portion 40 is located between can end 14 andthe bottom of side wall portion 34.

The dimensions of can 10 are suitable with various diameters and heightsfor various applications. Exemplary dimensions are illustrated ininches. Exemplary dimensions with the diameter and height are betweenapproximately 2.9 inches and 3.4 inches in diameter and approximately3.0 inches and 5.2 inches in height. In one embodiment, diameters D24 orD30 is 96% of height 32, the diameter is 3.112 inches and the height is3.257 inches. In this same embodiment, diameter D30 is 100% of thelength of diameter D24, diameter D24 is 3.112 inches and diameter D30 is3.112 inches. In additional embodiments, diameter D24 can be smaller inlength or substantially similar to height 32 and the length of diameterD36 is greater than the length of diameter D24.

Referring to FIG. 5, can 110 includes can ends 112, 114 and side wall140, preferably formed from metal. Can 110, can ends 112, 114 and sidewall 140 are shown in further detail in FIGS. 6-8. Can end 112 has adiameter D116. Can end 114 has a diameter D118. Diameter D116 anddiameter D118 can be substantially similar. Exemplary dimensions areillustrated in inches. In one embodiment, both diameters D116, D118 areapproximately 2.950 inches. Alternative embodiments include diameterD118 to be greater in length than diameter D116.

Additionally, can end 112, or the end in which the user opens, shows apull top 138. Exemplary pull top 138 is illustrated in FIG. 5. However,alternative embodiments of can end 112 may include a rim and a foilclosure adhered to the rim.

Side wall 140 has a height 120 that includes can ends 112, 114, sidewall portion 122 and transition portions 126, 128. The side wall isfabricated from steel, the interior is typically coated with an organiccoating and the exterior is typically coated with ink.

Referring to FIG. 6, the side wall portion 122 of can 110 has a diameterD124 that is greater than diameters D116, D118. For example, diametersD116, D118 are 2.950 inches and diameter D124 is 3.302 inches. The sidewall portion 122 also includes transition portions 126, 128. Transitionportion 126 is located between can end 112 and the top of side wallportion 122. Transition portion 128 is located between can end 114 andthe bottom of side wall portion 122.

The dimensions of can 110 are suitable with various diameters andheights for various applications. Exemplary dimensions are illustratedin inches. Exemplary dimensions with the diameter and height are betweenapproximately 2.9 inches and 3.4 inches in diameter and approximately3.0 inches and 5.2 inches in height. In one embodiment, diameters D116or D118 is 81% of height 120, the diameter is 2.950 inches and theheight is 3.639 inches. In this same embodiment, diameter D118 is 100%of the length of diameter D116, diameter D116 is 2.950 inches anddiameter D118 is 2.950 inches. In additional embodiments, diameter D116can be smaller in length or substantially similar to height 120 and thelength of diameter D124 is greater than the length of diameter D116.

Referring to FIG. 9, can 210 includes can ends 212, 214 and side wall240, preferably formed from metal. Can 210, can ends 212, 214 and sidewall 240 are shown in further detail in FIGS. 10-12. Can end 212 has adiameter D216. Can end 214 has a diameter D218. Diameter D216 anddiameter D218 can be substantially similar. Exemplary dimensions areillustrated in inches. In one embodiment, both diameters D216, D218 areapproximately 3.112 inches. Alternative embodiments include diameterD218 to be greater in length than diameter D216.

Additionally, can end 212, or the end in which the user opens, shows apull top 238. Exemplary pull top 238 is illustrated in FIG. 9. However,alternative embodiments of can end 212 may include a rim and a foilclosure adhered to the rim.

Side wall 240 has a height 220 that includes can ends 212, 214, sidewall portion 222 and transition portions 226, 228. The side wall isfabricated from steel, the interior is typically coated with an organiccoating and the exterior is typically coated with ink.

Referring to FIG. 10, the side wall portion 222 of can 210 has adiameter D224 that is greater than diameters D216, D218. For example,diameters D216, D218 are 3.112 inches and diameter D224 is 3.604 inches.The side wall portion 222 also includes transition portions 226, 228.Transition portion 226 is located between can end 212 and the top ofside wall portion 222. Transition portion 228 is located between can end214 and the bottom of side wall portion 222.

The dimensions of can 210 are suitable with various diameters andheights for various applications. Exemplary dimensions are illustratedin inches. Exemplary dimensions with the diameter and height are betweenapproximately 2.9 inches and 3.4 inches in diameter and approximately3.0 inches and 5.2 inches in height. In one embodiment, diameters D216or D218 is 60% of height 220, the diameter is 3.112 inches and theheight is 5.187 inches. In this same embodiment, diameter D218 is 100%of the length of diameter D216, diameter D216 is 3.112 inches anddiameter D218 is 3.112 inches. In additional embodiments, diameter D216can be smaller in length or substantially similar to height 220 and thelength of diameter D224 is greater than the length of diameter D216.

Referring to FIG. 13, can 310 includes can ends 312, 314 and side wall340, preferably formed from metal. Can 310, can ends 312, 314 and sidewall 340 are shown in further detail in FIGS. 14-16. Can end 312 has adiameter D316. Can end 314 has a diameter D318. Diameter D316 anddiameter D318 can be substantially similar. Exemplary dimensions areillustrated in inches. In one embodiment, both diameters D316, D318 areapproximately 3.365 inches. Alternative embodiments include diameterD318 to be greater in length than diameter D316.

Additionally, can end 312, or the end in which the user opens, shows apull top 338. Exemplary pull top 338 is illustrated in FIG. 13. However,alternative embodiments of can end 312 may include a rim and a foilclosure adhered to the rim.

Side wall 340 has a height 320 that includes can ends 312, 314, sidewall portion 322 and transition portions 326, 328. The side wall isfabricated from steel, the interior is typically coated with an organiccoating and the exterior is typically coated with ink.

Referring to FIG. 14, the side wall portion 322 of can 310 has adiameter D324 that is greater than diameters D316, D318. For example,diameters D316, D318 are 3.365 inches and diameter D324 is 3.925 inches.The side wall portion 322 also includes transition portions 326, 328.Transition portion 326 is located between can end 312 and the top ofside wall portion 322. Transition portion 328 is located between can end314 and the bottom of side wall portion 322.

The dimensions of can 310 are suitable with various diameters andheights for various applications. Exemplary dimensions are illustratedin inches. Exemplary dimensions with the diameter and height are betweenapproximately 2.9 inches and 3.4 inches in diameter and approximately3.0 inches and 5.2 inches in height. In one embodiment, diameters D316or D318 is 77% of height 320, the diameter is 3.365 inches and theheight is 4.376 inches. In this same embodiment, diameter D318 is 100%of the length of diameter D316, diameter D316 is 3.365 inches anddiameter D318 is 3.365 inches. In additional embodiments, diameter D316can be smaller in length or substantially similar to height 320 and thelength of diameter D324 is greater than the length of diameter D316.

1. A three-piece metal can combination comprising: a first circular canend having a first diameter; a second circular can end having the firstdiameter; a cylindrical can side wall having a height, a first endhaving substantially the first diameter, a second end havingsubstantially the first diameter, a side wall portion having a seconddiameter greater than the first diameter, a first transition portionwhich extends from the first end to the side wall, a second transitionportion which extends from the second end to the side wall portion and aseam which extends from the first end to the second end, wherein thesecond diameter is between 80% and 120% of the height, and the seconddiameter is between 105% and 120% of the first diameter; and adouble-seam joint which hermetically seals the second circular can endto the side wall.
 2. The can of claim 1, wherein the side wall isfabricated from steel.
 3. The can of claim 2, wherein the interior ofthe side wall is coated with an organic coating.
 4. The can of claim 3,wherein the exterior of the side wall is coated with ink.
 5. The can ofclaim 4, wherein the first end includes a rim and a foil closure adheredto the rim.
 6. The can of claim 4, wherein the first end includes a poptop.
 7. A two-piece metal can comprising: a cylindrical can side wallhaving a height, a first end having substantially the first diameter, asecond end having substantially the first diameter, a side wall portionhaving a second diameter greater than the first diameter, a firsttransition portion which extends from the first end to the side wall anda second transition portion which extends from the second end to theside wall portion, wherein the first diameter is between 80% and 120% ofthe height; a circular can end; and a double-seam joint whichhermetically seals the bottom circular can to one of the first or secondends.
 8. The can of claim 7, wherein the second diameter is between 105%and 120% of the first diameter
 9. The can of claim 8, wherein the sidewall is fabricated from steel.
 10. The can of claim 9, wherein theinterior of the side wall is coated with an organic coating.
 11. The canof claim 10, wherein the exterior of the side wall is coated with ink.12. The can of claim 11, wherein the can end includes a rim and a foilclosure adhered to the rim.
 13. The can of claim 12, wherein the can endincludes a pop top.
 14. A two-piece metal can comprising: a circular canend; a cylindrical can side wall having a height, a first end having afirst diameter, a second end having a second diameter, a side wallportion having a third diameter greater than the first and seconddiameters, a first transition portion which extends from the first endto the side wall and a second transition portion which extends from thesecond end to the side wall portion, wherein the second diameter isbetween 80% and 120% of the height; and a double-seam joint whichhermetically seals the bottom circular can to one of the first or secondends.
 15. The can of claim 14, wherein the third diameter is between105% and 120% of the first diameter.
 16. The can of claim 15, whereinthe side wall is fabricated from steel.
 17. The can of claim 16, whereinthe interior of the side wall is coated with an organic coating.
 18. Thecan of claim 17, wherein the exterior of the side wall is coated withink.
 19. The can of claim 18, wherein the circular can end includes arim and a foil closure adhered to the rim.
 20. The can of claim 18,wherein the circular can end includes a pop top.
 21. A three-piece metalcan comprising: a first circular can end having a first diameter; asecond circular can end having the first diameter; and a cylindrical canside wall having a height, a first end having substantially the firstdiameter, a second end having substantially the first diameter, a sidewall portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, afirst transition portion which extends from the first end to the sidewall and a second transition portion which extends from the second endto the side wall portion, wherein the first diameter is between 75% and100% of the height.